The Schedule or a new Dynasty?
The Pats were a surprise Super Bowl runner-up last year under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel. Quarterback Drake Maye had a stellar season, falling 1 vote shy of winning the league’s MVP, but the talk around the Patriots focused mostly on their schedule. The Patriots played one of the easiest schedules we have seen since 2000 and eased their way to the Super Bowl, with a weak AFC and bad quarterback play throughout the playoffs. The Seahawks showed the Patriots’ flaws with a dominant Super Bowl win, but the fact that they were there with a 23-year-old quarterback isn’t something to brush under the rug. So was it really the schedule? Or is it the start of a new dynasty? I think NFL fans had a hard time accepting that the Pats could be back, since it feels like the Tom Brady era just ended.
In-House Work to Start Free Agency
The Patriots have done a great job drafting and developing young talent, building their team, and entering free agency with around 40 million dollars in cap space to play with. Cornerback Christian Gonzales has proven to be a top player at his position and is bound to get a huge extension at some point. In my mock offseason, I started by giving him a 4-year, $ 134 million contract extension. That comes in at 31 million per year, making him the leagues highest paid cornerback, and allows the Pats to lock up a young superstar. Next, we look to restructures. The only contract restructure I made was on Defensive Tackle Milton Williams. Restructuring his contract can save 12.2 million this year. The Patriots aren’t in desperate need of money, so I don’t think they will be moving much money around. Mike Onwenwu was a cut casualty for me. He was good last year, but being able to save 17 million from a cut is always solid business, where the Patriots could look to get younger at the offensive line.
New signings and a splash trade
The Patriots could look to re-sign safety Jaylin Hawkins, as he seemed to fly under the radar last season. Hawkins was really good for the Patriots; he led the team in interceptions and seemed to fit in well with Mike Vrabel’s defense. I gave him a 2-year, $ 10 million contract. The Patriots should focus a lot on the offensive line and Edge rushers during free agency. Easily their worst position groups, and a lot of this was shown during the playoff run. They should look to sign Braden Smith to a 2-year, $ 28 million contract. He gives you an immediate starter, really, wherever you want him. He could go to Left Guard to fill in Mike Onwenwu’s spot or Right Tackle, depending on whether Morgan Mosses retires or not. There was a lot of talk about rookie Will Campbell as well. Do the Patriots look to move him to left guard and put Braden Smith at Left Tackle in this scenario? We shall see. I also gave edge rusher Jalen Phillips a 2 year 28 million contract. Phillips was really good with the Eagles last year and has a ton of upside as a player. He comes with injury concerns, but when healthy, he would easily be the Pats’ best pass rusher and will provide immediate help in that area. Next, we are reuniting Mike Vrabel and his old friend AJ Brown. A trade package could look like a 2nd and 4th round pick this year, and a 2nd round pick next year. This trade makes too much sense. Vrabel was a big reason for AJ Browns development back with the Tennessee Titans. There would be a lot of talk if the Pats should cut Stephon Diggs in this scenario. I don’t think so; a dual threat of Diggs and Brown will allow their offense to take an even bigger step forward next year.
Draft and Develop
In my model, I did a 3-round mock draft for the Patriots. At pick #31, they could take Offensive Tackle Monroe Freeling from Georgia. Freeling is a developmental prospect with great size and athleticism that he showed at the NFL combine. College film was a bit inconsistent, but teams will fall in love with all the traits he has that fit a modern NFL tackle. Probably not a year 1 starter, but it gives the Patriots some flexibility with their Offensive Line. In round 3, I took Safety Bud Clark from TCU. He should be able to come in and provide rotational help behind Jaylin Hawkins and Craig Woodson.
Will the Patriots be back in the Super Bowl next year? Surely that will be a tall task, but I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibilities. Suring up the offensive line and edge rushers should be priority number one, but the Pats have enough financial flexibility to be able to do more than just that. Following this mock offseason and adding additional depth can put the Pats in a prime position to make another run at it next year, as Drake Maye has shown to be a legit top Quarterback in this league. What they can’t do is stay put and allow other teams to pull in the top talent, because I don’t think the AFC will ever be as weak as it was this year.
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